CPD open house recruits officers

The deadline to apply to be a Chicago police officer is quickly approaching and Saturday, the department held an open house.

It took place at the Police Academy on West Jackson, where every officer starts their career with months of training.

For the first time ever, the department is allowing people as young as 18 to apply.

"They don't have to have their college education right now. They can apply now and they'll have plenty of time before we hire them to get their 60 credit hours or if they're in the military to get their active duty time in," said CPD director of human resources Tracey Ladner.

Superintendent Garry McCarthy said Friday that the department has received about 20,000 applications. He would like to see that rise to 30,000. The deadline to apply is September 16.